Larry Joe Davis

Larry Joe Davis born October 24, 1943 passed away on November 15, 2025 with the love of his life, Kay, by his side.  Fittingly it was his dad, Robert Davis' birthday who was his biggest idol and mentor.  

Larry grew up in the far east corner of the Owyhee, in Adrian, OR.  He was one of five children, Darlene, Donna, John and Sandy.  His parents Bob and Helen Davis had moved a two room dance hall by a team of horses and wagon a few miles up from Succor Creek Canyon in 1946 to their ranch.  In 1956 they added on a sleeping porch in which they used quart jars filled with hot water wrapped in towels to keep warm.  He was always so proud of the way he was raised.  He was surrounded by love and taught to be loyal, work hard, and family was everything.  During high school Larry played football, according to his coach, Larry was one of the toughest and best player he had coached.  Little but mighty.  Larry spent most of his time working on the ranch learning how to be an expert horseman from his dad.  He started riding calves at the brandings. One night he decided to enter the calf riding at the Caldwell Night Rodeo.  To his surprise he won it! This was the start of his bull riding career.  He qualified to the high school rodeo finals in Valentine, Nebraska where he won second in the nation in the bull riding and placed in a round in the bareback riding.  From there he went to PRCA rodeos.  In 1963 at the young age of 19 he won his favorite rodeo the  Pendleton Roundup.  He also split the win at Fort Worth Stock Show in 1971.  Top honors at Puyallup, WA.  He was a two time winner of Moses Lake, WA.  He won the Wilderness Circuit Finals in 1979 and 1980.  He landed just short of making the NFR on multiple occasions. In 1968 Larry met the love of his life, Kay Hindman, they continued to rodeo and raise their two boys, Bobby and Jace. Their life consisted of stories of many lifetime friends, two little feral boys, making lots of amazing horses and a love that only dreams are made of.  In 1981 tragedy struck and Larry broke his neck at Union, OR.  This ended his bull riding career.  He not only rode bulls but was a very talented horseman he got recruited by Don Dodge to ride cow horses in CA.  He learned a lot and made a great friend but went back to the ranch.  His favorite pass time was to chase wild horses with the BLM. Larry's stories of chasing wild horses were wild and his favorite to tell. He was recognized by the BLM for his service.  Kay and Larry were able to purchase their own ranch in 1978.  They turned a rundown piece of property and shack into a farmable, livable, piece of heaven.  1982 Larry started his judging career with the PRCA.  For 25 years he judged the NFR and was in the inaugural Wrangler PRORODEO judging team as well as being honored the judge of the year three times.  He was known for his honest, knowledge and mentorship.  He called it how he saw it.  After retiring he helped start up the animal welfare division for the PRCA and was the head of the that for three years.  In his later years he continued to run his cows, and be the best Papa ever.  His grandkids, Sydney and Celie, Bobby and Katie's kids and Atticus and Jasper, Jace and Tiffany's kids.  His grandkids were the light of his life.  Larry was a role model to many.  The best smile that could light up a room. He was the most giving soul. It was never unusual to have many visitors that may stay a day or months. He is survived by his loving wife, Kay, his children, Bobby Davis, wife Katie, grandkids, Sydney and Celie. Jace Davis, wife Tiffany, grandkids Atticus and Jasper.  Sisters Donna Elordi and Sandy Taylor husband Terry niece Kaycee Taylor.  Brother, John Davis, wife Lisa nieces Abby (Mason) Michaelis and Britt (Ali). Nephews Dan (Renee) Williams, and Marvin Williams. Sister in law Lucy (Steve) Schnabele, niece Tracy DiBenedetti, nephew John Schnabele and Sean Schnabele. Proceeded in death by his mother and father Bob and Helen Davis, sister, Darlene (Rusty) Williams and nephew Shawn Taylor. Many grand nieces and nephews who he adored. Cousins that he made many childhood memories. He was so proud of his family, ranch, horses and where he came from.  His legacy lives on, he was a true cowboy.  The soft spoken, hell of a cowboy will never be forgotten! 

Services will be, Sunday November 23, 2025 at Owyhee Community Center, Homedale, ID at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the PRCA cowboy crisis fund.